I think part of the reason walking feels like a low socioeconomic activity is because so much of it takes place near roads where cars are producing exhaust. My logic may be off here but it seems like an effort is made to keep overt pollution away from the wealthy and so the presence of this exhaust makes it feel like an impoverished area (which, for all the fumes, it is).

As for the downtown market, I like the idea. I’ve wondered about opening up a deli/convenience store down there. Sell pre-made sandwiches and/or hot soup to downtown residents and employees who don’t want to cook but don’t feel like paying more for a full service meal. Limited seating or, to avoid the whole toilet situation, maybe no seating. Sales of sundries and a few fresh produce items. Something along those lines might work. If you’ve got a lot of money burning a whole in your safe deposit box and want to discuss this any further, let me know:)

As for lonely, I mean it in the sense that I don’t see many people doing it until I get to campus. Walking downtown in a different matter. And, yes, the whole connection thing.

Also, I live downtown and the BIGGEST need is for a grocery store (one was rumored for the Wheeler’s location but went away when the economy tanked). There is the Downtown Market on Campbell, but that’s more a liquor store that happens to sell a canned goods (I still went there when I lived across the street).